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Started by Adrian Ocampo | | 17 answers
2 x 2TB vs 1 x 4TB as storage. No Raid.
Hi All,

Just want to ask. Which is much better?
2 x 2TB WD Caviar Green?
1 x 4TB WD Caviar Green?

For Storage only? No need for mirroring, backups. Just storage of data. Thanks.
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a c 971 G Storage
May 20, 2014 3:52:15 PM

Quote:
Im using Asus Crosshair V Formula Z 990FX. Does that support 4tb?


It Does, yes.

Quote:
Quick question.
Is power consumption of 2x2tb same with 1x4tb? or obviously no?


Nope, its approxiately double the power usage for having dual drives though that should not be of great concern. If you left a spinning HDD running it would take about 400hrs before it would use about 1kw of power (ie - about 15 cents of power). A green drive uses about 3w and a regular 7200 rpm about 5w.

Lastly, important data should never be stored on just 1 device. Having more than 1 copy is the only way to survive drive failure and all drives die sooner or later. Having these extra copies stored on an unpowered device is the recommended way to have it backed up. That a way a nearby power surge cant destroy it like it would if it were in your pc.
a b G Storage
May 20, 2014 3:44:32 PM

Alright then lets start from the beginning. Please answer all these questions carfully.

1) What do you want it for? what kind of data?
2) Do you have a backup solution?
3) If not, do you even want a backup solution?
4) What other internal drives do you have, and for what?
a b G Storage
May 20, 2014 12:23:47 PM

JPNpower said:
Would externals be more prone to shaking and shock? Depends. First off, the drives are secured rather well inside their enclosures that they are sold in. Second, the drives may be spinning disks, but they aren't going to break from a few shakes. Third, if you keep the drive securely placed on a solid flat surface or put away in a secure location, there won't be shocks that you'll need to be careful for. By the way, if a computer virus or a power disaster wipes out your PC's data, all your data on the 2X2/4 TB drives are gone as well. So much for backups eh?

Also, in terms of risk, consider this simplified explanation. The numbers are selected purely for simple mathematical explanations, and do not reflect any reality.

Consider the probability of a drive failure to be 30% for 2TB drives and 40% for 4TB drives.

The Probability (P) of losing all data in the 4TB setup is 40%
The P of losing all data in the 2TB setup is 9%
Thus, the guys above recommended the 2TB setup.
However, the P of losing ANY data in the 2TB setup is 51%
While the P of losing ANY data in the 4TB setup is still 40%

In other words, both setups have their own strong points and their drawbacks.


Still dont knwo what to chooose =)))).
a b G Storage
May 19, 2014 5:57:51 PM

Would externals be more prone to shaking and shock? Depends. First off, the drives are secured rather well inside their enclosures that they are sold in. Second, the drives may be spinning disks, but they aren't going to break from a few shakes. Third, if you keep the drive securely placed on a solid flat surface or put away in a secure location, there won't be shocks that you'll need to be careful for. By the way, if a computer virus or a power disaster wipes out your PC's data, all your data on the 2X2/4 TB drives are gone as well. So much for backups eh?

Also, in terms of risk, consider this simplified explanation. The numbers are selected purely for simple mathematical explanations, and do not reflect any reality.

Consider the probability of a drive failure to be 30% for 2TB drives and 40% for 4TB drives.

The Probability (P) of losing all data in the 4TB setup is 40%
The P of losing all data in the 2TB setup is 9%
Thus, the guys above recommended the 2TB setup.
However, the P of losing ANY data in the 2TB setup is 51%
While the P of losing ANY data in the 4TB setup is still 40%

In other words, both setups have their own strong points and their drawbacks.
a b G Storage
May 19, 2014 2:35:43 PM

Hawkeye22 said:
Without a backup plan, I'd prefer not to keep all my eggs in one basket, so 2 x 2TB.


I see where you are going with that.

Quick question.
Is power consumption of 2x2tb same with 1x4tb? or obviously no?
a b G Storage
May 19, 2014 2:34:26 PM

popatim said:
your motherbd may not support 4tb drives so dual 2TB drives get my vote as well.


Im using Asus Crosshair V Formula Z 990FX. Does that support 4tb?
a b G Storage
May 19, 2014 2:33:49 PM

JPNpower said:
Yes, all is down to security and price as all the above people have said.

What is your backup solution if any?
BTW, external hard drives are sometimes cheaper than internal hard drives, and if you are only using it for data storage, that may be the better choice. Also, external drives won't die if something explodes inside your computer, like a PSU voltage shock or GPU cap explosion IDK. Anyway, if it is for backup and/or data, it is recommended that you go external.


Wouldnt external hard drive be more prone to shaking and or damage than internal ones?
a c 971 G Storage
May 19, 2014 2:05:16 PM

your motherbd may not support 4tb drives so dual 2TB drives get my vote as well.
a b G Storage
May 19, 2014 1:35:58 PM

Yes, all is down to security and price as all the above people have said.

What is your backup solution if any?
BTW, external hard drives are sometimes cheaper than internal hard drives, and if you are only using it for data storage, that may be the better choice. Also, external drives won't die if something explodes inside your computer, like a PSU voltage shock or GPU cap explosion IDK. Anyway, if it is for backup and/or data, it is recommended that you go external.
a c 392 G Storage
May 19, 2014 10:33:48 AM

Without a backup plan, I'd prefer not to keep all my eggs in one basket, so 2 x 2TB.

See all answers